The Problem
In his seminal work, Symbol Sourcebook (1972), Henry Dreyfuss outlined the problem in a section titled:
THE SEARCH FOR PUSH AND PULL
As often happens, an elementary problem has become the most elusive to solve. It would appear easy to convey these simplest of actions: Push and Pull. But they defy obvious graphic delineation.
Certainly it is unfortunate that we can include no accepted symbols for these actions in our lexicon of Basic Symbols.
An internationally reprinted newspaper account of our symbol work reported our difficulty in finding Push and Pull symbols. As a result, we received hundreds of suggestions.
Among these were a variety of drawings of hands. Although hands do indeed perform the act of pushing and pulling, these suggestions are all either closely related to STOP signs, or are limited in application or just plain confusing!
Most of the suggested symbols imply a sideways motion, which is fine for a sliding door, but in an emergency such instructions on a common hinged or swinging door could prove disastrous. They would be equally misleading on a control knob requiring an in-and-out motion.
Obviously, there are limitations to pictorial symbols; many signs and instructions do not lend themselves to this type of representation. So many contributors sent us strictly abstract designs.
DNA (Deutscher Normenausschuss)*, which is developing symbol standards for ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation), has proposed these very interesting diagrams for Push and Pull, and an adaptation for “turn”. Perhaps these isometric arrows would provide a solution?
